I'd post these pics on the same thread you started about this kitchen. You will get more comments and better comments.

I like the matching built in sideboard in the dining room. But I would have it stop at the end of the kitchen peninsula. I think they need to be integrated with each other as one wrap around piece.

Where does the door lead to?

“family that desperately needs more storage.”…”so thinking a decorative hood and some open shelving.”

Desperately needing more storage yet choosing open shelving are in direct opposition. You will get much more storage with closed cabinetry than with open shelving.

I suggest the 2-drawer stacks on either side of the range be instead 3-drawer stacks with the top drawers shallow. Shallow top drawers next to a range are ideal for utensils, pot holders, and spice inserts.

Also, Just Say No to spice pullouts next to the range. They are not very functional - you’ll do better to have a top drawer with a spice bottle insert. So delete the pullouts next to the range, and widen the adjacent drawers to take up that space.

What do you mean exactly by a ”decorative hood”? Do you mean a cabinet hood surround? Will it exhaust to the outside?

You have stairs leading to the basement. Can you install any shelves in that area along the stairs for infrequently used items?

I don’t see an exhaust hood venting to the outside in the design.

I like the pullouts on either side of the range as long as the oven heat doesn’t affect what you store in there. I have them but have a Wolf gas range top so my spices, oils, etc. are not affected.

The different-size uppers that go down to the counter only leave 33” and 36” on either side of the range. I cook a lot and would find that too narrow.

Consider eliminating the floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet on the right of the refrigerator. Instead run the lowers/counter from the sink’s left side to the refrigerator’s right side so you have a landing spot adjacent to the refrigerator.

Thank you all for the input!

@M Miller - I appreciate that I am contradicting myself with the need for storage and open shelving :) My first layout attempts were too crowded and it is a narrow kitchen so I was just trying to open it up a little. I was hoping that adding the cabinets underneath the dining room eating area would make up for some of the lost storage - trying to think of random items that I'm forgetting about, like small appliances that don't get used very often.

My plan for the 12" pullouts next to the stove weren't for spices but for other cooking items, utensils and maybe even baking sheets like here -

Re: Hood design. I was thinking either a smaller hood with open shelving, or alternatively something along these lines with some built in spice storage on the sides.

Re: The basement wall - love that idea! It's a really narrow stairwell unfortunately. I do have some overstock storage down there on shelving.

@cpartist - The door leads to the basement; the doorway next to it leads to the foyer/front hall where there is an entrance to the office (behind the stove wall - there is an opening to the office there as well that we are closing) and another entrance to the family room. This is an older center hall colonial with an addition on the back.

Open shelving next to the stove may not be a great idea if you have kids. Just thinking of someone knocking something off the shelf onto the stove. But I guess you run a similar risk with cabinets.

The last sketch you posted, with the cabinets to the counter, is the definition of "closed in"! Standard upper cabinets and uncluttered counter space are what open up a kitchen, and upper cabinets to the ceiling (with an extra shelf in each) provide valuable storage.

Your plan for the pullouts next to the range sound less like a plan, and more like "I have these things, what am I going to do with them?" 30" drawers are much more useful than 18" drawers, and I don't see a drawer for flatware.

This is the perfect time to develop a detailed storage plan for everything in the kitchen, with everything located near its point of use: spices, potholders, pots and pans, and cooking utensils near the range; knives, cutting boards, colanders near the sink; dishes near the DW; leftover containers in the cleanup zone. Where will you put baking supplies? Small appliances? Cake pans? The big soup pot or canning pot that's used seasonally? How about snacks and canned goods? Bags and wraps? Dish towels? How will you use the space above the fridge?

When I was designing my kitchen, the storage plan determined what cabinetry I needed. I voided a corner, because I needed drawer storage much more than I needed storage for large, bulky, less used things between the sink and range.

Poor storage.

However the bigger issue is where will you prep? We normally prep next to our sink. You barely have any room there.

Wider drawers for lower cabinets.

No pullouts on either side of the stove. You can get a heck of a lot more in drawers than in those pullouts. (See my pics)

My bottom drawer to the right of my cooktop.

My middle drawer under my cooktop. Of course in your layout, you could have a wide drawer like this on either side of your stove.

My bottom drawer to the left of my cooktop. Yes that is an ice cream maker! And it fits perfectly.

As others have mentioned. top drawers to hold spices or utensils.

I keep my spices on either side of my cooktop.

No to the upper cabinets to the counter. Wasted counter space. Instead run uppers across the wall and put your baking sheets in one of those cabinets, or in one of the cabinets on either side of the fridge.

@cpartist admittedly I hate cooking :) so my husband is the cook but he preps in the corner and on the peninsula currently and said that’s enough space for him.

Love your drawer space! What size are those?